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Angela McCarthy

Posted on: October 8th, 2024 by Hugh Dineen-Lees

I am a Senior Associate in the Commercial Real Estate Department, having joined Lawrence Stephens in 2021.  I have extensive experience in a range of property transactions, and a particular interest in investment property, commercial landlord and tenant matters and corporate support work (particularly in connection with the purchase and sale of commercial entities). 

I have acted for well-known retailers and restaurants in the acquisition of new premises and the negotiation of lease renewals, deeds of variation, assignments, licences and wayleave agreements.  I also act for landlords in connection with portfolio management and the preparation and negotiation of sub-leases.

The best part of my role is building strong, supportive and lasting relationships with clients.  I enjoy getting to know clients and their business strategies and my advice is always straightforward, commercial and tailored to the person or entity seeking it. 

In my spare time, I can regularly be found at one the many gig and concert venues in London, as live music is my absolute kryptonite.  I’m also a regular on the netball court and love a good runaround with my wonderful teammates. 

Sophie Levitt

Posted on: October 8th, 2024 by Hugh Dineen-Lees

I joined Lawrence Stephens’ Commercial Real Estate team in 2024.

My experience ranges from advising institutional funds, governmental entities and luxury brands, to restaurants and hotels. I have worked on behalf of both landlord and tenants, as well as on acquisitions, disposals and property management.

I enjoy building strong relationships with clients and invest time in getting to know their business needs, to ensure a commercial and practical approach to transactions.

Outside of work I love to go to fashion and art exhibitions and I enjoy sports and fitness. I also enjoy travelling and have lived in France and Spain.

Stephen Dodge

Posted on: October 2nd, 2024 by Hugh Dineen-Lees

I joined Lawrence Stephens in September 2024 as a trainee solicitor after completing a law conversion course at City, University of London with First Class Honours.

I grew up in Toronto, Canada and in 2017 obtained a Bachelor of Commerce, specialising in strategic management with a minor in economics at the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management.

Prior to changing careers to work in law, I was Chief Operating Officer of a biotechnology startup that developed AI systems to treat and manage diabetes.

Before joining Lawrence Stephens, I worked as a pro bono paralegal for a West London charity where I conducted several successful benefits appeals with clients living with serious physical and mental disability. 

In my spare time I enjoy running, cycling and rock climbing.

Krysha Hunt

Posted on: August 14th, 2024 by Hugh Dineen-Lees

I am a Senior Associate in the Commercial Real Estate team, having joined the firm in 2024.

I have extensive experience working on behalf of both landlord and tenants, acquisitions and disposals and property management. I also have experience working with hospitality clients in relation to the acquisition or disposal of hotels, restaurants and pubs and work closely alongside other departments to provide a comprehensive service.

I enjoy building relationships with clients and getting to know their focus to ensure a collaborative and commercial approach to transactions.

Outside of work I enjoy anything fitness related and ran the Paris half marathon in March 2024. I also enjoy travelling and have been fortunate to experience living in Singapore and Dubai.

Experience highlights:

  • Acting on behalf of a technology tenant to agree a lease of at a high-profile Central London building with a rent exceeding £1.5m per annum.
  • Acting on behalf of a hospitality client to acquire and subsequently refinance target properties across the UK for an initial portfolio value of circa £15m.
  • Acting for a landlord in respect of a lease of a serviced office block to an internet giant.

Gunduz Misiri

Posted on: November 6th, 2023 by Yvonne Uzoka

I have been a qualified solicitor since 2011, specialising in the fields of residential and commercial property. My practice encompasses representing a diverse clientele, including buyers, sellers, landlords and tenants in the acquisition and disposal of both commercial and residential property.

Notably, I have had the privilege of representing prominent retail clients in the acquisition of multiple retail units in Central London. These transactions predominantly involve leasehold arrangements with properties acquired from landlords in London, including the Crown Estate Commissioners.

My client portfolio extends to various industries, with successful transactions involving the acquisition and disposition of establishments such as restaurants, nightclubs, golf courses, dry cleaners and various high street shops.

In addition, my services extend to the residential property market, covering a wide spectrum of property types, from high-value transactions to shared ownership agreements and remortgages, involving both freehold and leasehold arrangements.

My practice is underpinned by an extensive understanding of the property market and the unique needs of my clients. I take immense pride in delivering clear, commercially astute advice and unwavering support to my clients.

Experience highlights

  • Acting on a £25m refinance of nine supermarkets
  • Acting for a client in the sale of three freehold warehouses for a total purchase price of £43m
  • Acting on the purchase of a well-known nightclub in central London – satisfying the requirements of the landlords prior to the licence to assign being granted and successfully negotiating the return of the rent deposit
  • Acting on the purchase of a £4m freehold warehouse on an industrial estate
  • Acting on the purchase of a £6m leasehold apartment in central London
  • Acting for a high-net-worth client on the acquisition of several well-known high-end male grooming stores in central London

Claire Allan

Posted on: August 7th, 2023 by Natasha Cox

As an award-winning enfranchisement specialist, I advise leaseholders and landlords in this complex field, navigating them through the statutory lease extension or collective enfranchisement process.

I have acted on some significant prime central London enfranchisements.  I provide practical advice to property owners, family offices, developers, investors, international and local corporates, high-net-worth individuals, private equity firms, sellers, purchasers, lenders and borrowers – particularly those on the London Landed Estates such as Cadogan Estate, Grosvenor Estate, John Lyon’s Charity Estate and Wellcome Trust.  I provide added value to my clients by being able to advise on all aspects of enfranchisement – a true hybrid of non-contentious and contentious work. 

Drawing on an expansive range of experience, I have a track record of leading, structuring and executing complicated enfranchisement transactions for a broad spectrum of clients.  I combine a deep understanding of the law, based on more than 15 years’ experience, with a willingness to develop creative solutions for her clients.  As a thoughtful strategist and a tenacious champion of my clients’ interests, I have attracted a host of respected clients. 

I have extensive experience in handling transactions against special categories of landlord including Ecclesiastical landlords and the Crown.  I further advise on vesting orders in relation to missing/absent landlord claims.

Experience highlights 

  • Acquiring the freehold of a prestigious block of flats from a central London freehold estate together with an intermediary leasehold interest and porter’s flat. Negotiating the freehold transfer deed free from onerous restrictive covenants
  • Structuring and advising on a valuable house claim so as to obtain the freehold under the Leasehold Reform Act 1967
  • Leading and successfully completing on a 115 flat collective claim in one of London’s Royal boroughs

Stephen Messias

Posted on: February 13th, 2023 by Natasha Cox

As a founding partner of Lawrence Stephens with over 30 years’ experience, I bring a wealth of knowledge to the firm in all aspects of commercial and residential real estate, as well as landlord and tenant transactions.

My clients are a sophisticated mix of property companies, individual investors, property traders and trading businesses occupying properties for the purposes of their business as well as individuals.  There’s no such thing as a typical deal.  My transactions can range from the purchase or sale of a commercial investment, the refinancing of property portfolios, commercial lettings whether acting for landlords or tenants, complex acquisitions with lease re-gear and back-to-back sale, as well as residential transactions.

My clients are largely entrepreneurial, running their own businesses and seeking sound, speedy, creative advice and input from us as their solicitor.

Whether transactions are complex, urgent or routine, I like to work with clients in a commercial and pragmatic way to ensure a satisfactory and positive outcome.  Many of my clients have been clients since day one, a testament to the quality of service and advice I strive to provide.

As a result of exceptional work ethic and dedication to my clients, I have been listed as a recommended property lawyer in the prestigious Spear’s 500 list for 2023.

Life is not all about work – I am a keen runner (half –marathons and marathons), having raised funds for various charities and an active Freemason.  I have been married to my wife, Jane, for over 30 years and we have three wonderful children, none of which are following in my footsteps by pursuing a career in law.  Maybe they’ll be clients of mine one day.

Experience highlights

  • Acting for the Epic Group of Companies as landlord on various lettings of commercial premises in various Grade A buildings around the country
  • Acting on a £31m sale of a property previously used as a waste management, recycling and skip hire site, located in North West London. The transaction was a complex and high-value sale
  • Purchase of a £13.5m apartment in Central London for a long standing HNW client
  • Purchase of a freehold investment property let to Santander, subsequent lease surrender, re-letting and refinancing of the property
  • Sale of an office campus investment for £36.7m comprising part of a larger site and the subsequent sale of the remainder of the site in various parcels
  • The purchase of a residential development site and sales of the completed units working with our construction department throughout these transactions
  • The letting of restaurant premises to a high-end restaurant operator as part of a number of lettings in a mixed-use (office, retail and restaurant) city centre development

Andrew Park

Posted on: February 10th, 2023 by Natasha Cox

I qualified in 1985 and became a Partner at Kosky Seal two years later.  The firm was integrated into Lawrence Stephens in 2007.

My practice encompasses commercial and residential property, landlord and tenant and employment law.  I have hands-on commercial experience guiding start-ups and small owner managed businesses.

I live in West London.  I am possibly the world’s worst saxophonist.

 

Craig Mullen

Posted on: February 10th, 2023 by Natasha Cox

With more than 16 years PQE, I have accumulated vast experience in dealing with a full range of Commercial Real Estate and Real Estate Finance transactions. My specialisms include managing commercial landlord and tenant matters and complex, high-value acquisitions and disposals of commercial property.

Naturally approachable, friendly and client-focused, I thoroughly enjoy working with clients – whether that may be an individual or a large private limited company – to enable them to find the best possible solution to their problems and to achieve their business goals.

I have a second full-time job away from the office being the father of twin girls! I am also a keen runner, having completed several 10k and half-marathon races, as well as the 2022 London Marathon.

Experience highlights 

  • Leading a team in relation to the acquisition of a multi-let mixed use site in Hackney for an investor client.  The transaction involved several freehold and leasehold titles over four different buildings and extremely tight timescales
  • Acting for PLC company in relation to three separate asset sales in Milton Keynes of tenanted mixed use properties for a total sale price of in excess of £50m
  • Acting for three individuals forming an accountants’ partnership on their renewal lease of office space in Baker Street, London
  • Acting for a client company who purchased a multi-million-pound site in the North of England which was sublet to Sainsbury’s and other retail tenants

Danny Schwarz

Posted on: February 10th, 2023 by Natasha Cox

I qualified in 1998 and joined Lawrence Stephens in 2006, having previously worked in the property department of a leading City firm.  I was made a Partner in 2008 and am now Head of Commercial Real Estate. 

I deal with all aspects of commercial property investment, acquisitions and disposals, development, landlord and tenant work and property management.

I also work closely with the firm’s Corporate department on the property aspects of transactions.

The only BAFTA nominated partner within the firm, I took the scenic route to law.  Following a stint in the army and a degree in Film & Television at Tel Aviv University, I moved to the UK and worked in the film industry before qualifying as a solicitor.

I have three daughters and a son and enjoy tennis, football, music, art and motorbikes despite recently hanging up my helmet.

Experience highlights 

  • Acting for a developer on the acquisition of commercial premises, redevelopment to 25 residential flats and sale of leases
  • Acting for a retailer in the acquisition and disposal of retail properties comprising a current portfolio of over 40 shops
  • Acting for several pub groups, clubs and restaurateurs on the acquisitions and sales of high value prime location properties
  • Acting for a property investment fund on refinance of mixed-use portfolio in the value of £25m
  • Acting for freeholders of a block of flats in St Johns Wood in relation to the grant of a lease of airspace to a developer and construction agreement for the construction of two penthouse apartments on the roof of the building

David Seal

Posted on: February 10th, 2023 by Natasha Cox

I qualified in 1982 and with partner David Kosky set up my own firm, Kosky Seal, four years later.

I specialise in all aspects of property law including secured lending, development and investment. I act primarily for property traders and high net worth individuals.

I am married with three children and live in North London. I am a keen runner and play football and tennis regularly. I also enjoy travelling (particularly to watch my beloved Tottenham Hotspur in Europe), reading 20th century history and listening to the music of James Taylor.

David Freedman

Posted on: February 10th, 2023 by Natasha Cox

I joined Lawrence Stephens as a Partner in September 2019 and contribute over 35 years of legal experience to our Real Estate/Secured Lending team.

Over the years, I have established a proactive, can-do attitude to meeting clients’ objectives and offer a level of service which, given my number of repeat clients, has clearly proven attractive.

I act for a range of leading UK specialist bridging finance lenders, providing extensive advice on property finance, landlord and tenant and commercial conveyancing matters. As well as advising on the acquisition, disposal and letting of commercial property, I have a large number of private property investors to whom I provide all types of commercial property management advice.

My clients are predominantly made up of established lenders in the bridging finance or property lending market and long standing private property investors. These range from clients with large Central London holdings to those with portfolios of shops, offices and industrial units. The variety offers a significant volume of work, but also provides the opportunity to establish close personal relationships with individual underwriters.

Lawrence Stephens’ cohort of long-suffering Spurs supporters welcomes me with wide open arms, though I also enjoys tennis, cricket and bridge, and am an avid cinema and theatre-goer.  When I’m not working, I involve myself in charity work to provide holiday opportunities to under-privileged children.

Experience highlights 

  • Acted for the sale of a private property investor in relation to the sale of a portfolio of 18 tenanted properties at a price of £5,162,500
  • Acted for the bank in relation to a loan of £1.25m secured by a mixture of first and second charges over six freehold and leasehold properties
  • Acted for the executors of an estate in relation to the sale of two linked flats in St Johns Wood for £2.65m with enquiries from both buyer’s and lender’s solicitors
  • Acting for borrower and lender in relation to 9 separate loans on a mixture of freehold and leasehold residential properties having a total loan value of £1.7m